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Friday, October 10, 2014

Burden Bearer

Burden Bearer

Galatians 6:1,2

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The Old Testament prophet, Amos, name means, burden bearer. The prophets of the O.T. bore the burdens of God’s people even though they were wrongly accused, put into prisons, dungeons, or cisterns. Moses was a spokesman and an ambassador for God, a burden bearer, watching and caring for the children of Israel. Christians have been encouraged to comfort, encourage and bear one another’s burdens with the knowledge that Jesus Christ is our Chief Burden Bearer. Psalms 55:22 says, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Burdens are extra heavy loads that people are having trouble dealing with. To bear someone’s burden means that you are willing to help carry that load with endurance fulfilling the law of Christ, the law of love which satisfies the entire law. Burden bearers are to help others live a spirit-filled life as they are confronted, encouraged, and loved. Building relationships in love, trust, and mutual respect will help people through their painful circumstances. They need to be given hope that their situation can change and nothing is impossible with God.

Emotions during an overwhelming trial are very revealing and powerful. Under the influence of anger, drugs, alcohol, etc., many people have done extremely wicked things. But the emotion of anger specifically, can be controlled according to the Word of God. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 19:11, “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” ” Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Paul wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:“ (Ephesians 4:26). Paul’s command from Ephesians to be angry without sin should give us hope.

Galatians 6:1 says, “If a man be overtaken in a fault, (failure, weakness) ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness (gentleness).” What does it mean to be “overtaken in a fault?” This can actually mean someone has seen a person committing a sin or been caught or trapped by the sin itself. In the spirit of gentleness, we are to help mend or repair the broken one and restore them to Christ. The Spirit-filled Christian should seek to restore a brother in love watching over them with diligent attentiveness. We are to encourage others through their bad moods, hard to handle times, and emotional traumas, “lifting up the hands which hang down.” (Hebrews 12:12). Someone that has fallen into sin, does not need the legalist attitude of pride which says, ”I’d never do that” or condemnation, “Why did you do that?” but they need the truth given in love and kindness. Bearing someone’s burden is not agreeing with their sin, but realizing that no man is immune from falling, “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1b). Pride is an arrogant spirit that people express when they feel they are better than someone else because they have never committed a particular sin, nor will they ever. All that we do is either investing in the flesh or in the Spirit. The believer that sows to the flesh will reap the corruption of the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit, will reap from the Spirit, eternal life. (Galatians 6:7,8) We are to live our lives in accordance to the fruit of the Spirit. How do I know if I am living in the Spirit? Ask yourself these questions. Am I joyful, do I love others deeply, am I patient, am I at peace with God? These are a part of the fruit of the Spirit of God written in Galatians 5:22-25. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith(faithfulness). Meekness (gentle), temperance:(self-control) against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Thought: As we seek to left each other up, may we do so in the spirit of love and kindness. When someone is down, pick them up. When someone is hurting, comfort them. When someone is in sin, restore them in the spirit of gentleness. And when someone’s burden is to heavy to bear, show them Christ, the Ultimate Burden Bearer. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (gentle) and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).